We strongly encourage all parents to allow their children full protection against vaccine preventable illnesses. The safest plan for your child and your family is to follow the CDC recommended vaccination schedule. We are a participating facility with the Washington State Childhood Vaccination program, providing publicly purchased vaccinations for children less than 19 years of age. While we do not require vaccinations for patients of Fairhaven Pediatrics, we will work together with your family to encourage evidence based medical care for your children.

Billing Questions

Billing questions or concerns should be directed to the external billing department

Insurance

We file the forms necessary so that you receive the full benefits of your medical coverage. Your coverage is a contract between you and your insurance company, so it is important that you read and understand what health benefits are covered under your policy. If your insurance company denies coverage, the balance will then be owed by you. It is impossible for us to keep track of what each individual policy covers, and we are committed to practicing evidence based medicine to keep your child physically and mentally healthy. We perform routine screenings for development, hearing and vision, anemia and lead screenings, and mental health screenings. Check with your insurance policy to better understand the plan selected for your child and what is covered. Click HERE for a detailed explanation of common health insurance terms and policies.

Copayments and Deductibles

Depending on your insurance, a copayment, deductible, and/or coinsurance may be required at the time of service. Payment may be made by cash or credit card. We require all families provide a credit card on file with our office, which is kept on our secure paperless check in system, allowing you to use this card to pay copays or other charges at the time of visit. We will also use the card for payments toward the patient responsibility after processing the visit with your insurance company, unless you make other arrangements within 14 days of being notified of a balance. It is important to understand that a copayment is a contractual requirement from your insurance company, and cannot be written off by the clinic. If you participate in a high deductible health plan (HDHP) and your deductible has not been met, you will likely be responsible for any non preventative services.

Patients without insurance

We are happy to work with families that prefer to pay directly for services or who are uninsured. A time of service discount will be applied to the bill if settled in full on the day of service. Payment plans can also be arranged using the credit card on file.

Sick complaints at a well child check up

If you present for a well child check up and your child is sick, or you’d like to address a chronic issue at this visit, insurance companies require we submit a separate visit code, just as we would if you had brought your child in for that complaint on a different day. Your regular copay, deductible, or coinsurance will apply to this separate visit code and payment will be expected at time of service.

Visits are by appointment only, but we make it a priority to have same day and next day appointment slots available for sick visits. Call or text us that morning and we will get your child scheduled. Urgent sick visits must follow the rule of ones: One child, one problem, and the problem has been present less than one week. Referral requests DO require an office visit to discuss the reasons for the referral and for insurance to cover the referral.

You will receive appointment reminders by text, and our check in and registration process is paperless and can be done from your mobile device ahead of time.

Late arrivals: Patients arriving 15 minutes past their appointment time may have to wait to be seen. Patients arriving 25 minutes or more past their appointment time will need to reschedule.

Cancellation policy: Appointments cancelled on the same day of the appointment will be charged a $25 cancellation fee. No show appointments will be charged a $50 fee. Three no show appointments or same day cancellations may result in dismissal from the practice. If a patient no shows their first appointment with us, this is grounds for dismissal.

Refills for chronic conditions will be sent if the child has had a visit for that condition within the past 6 months. For ADHD and Behavioral Health medications, refills will be sent if the child has had a visit for the condition within the past 3 months. Medications are usually not changed or adjusted without an office visit.

All prescriptions are sent electronically to the pharmacy of your choice.